A gemba walk is an almost meditative practice, and requires a specific mindset to pull off. Based on (like so many other modern Lean practices) what was originally a Japanese concept – the word gemba or genba literally meaning “the real place”, though that isn’t the whole concept – it is the idea that direct […] Read more

The Lean-Six Sigma methodology is a cyclic methodology that connects a manufacturing or service process to a defined Customer Value. One of the main questions that a process owner must ask themselves and their team when a customer makes a requirement is: Is my process capable of achieving my customer’s desires in a controlled and […] Read more

What is Value-Stream Mapping? The lean methodology is a cyclic process via which the needs of customers are identified, then subsequently built into manufacturing or service processes in order to satisfy these critical requirements. As the old adage goes: “The customer is always right!”. The customer is king, and if they feel that their voices […] Read more

Operating processes within  service or manufacturing organizations are never perfect. On any given day, challenges can surface that cause the organization to deviate from its target objectives. Knowing that uncertainty exists, the key to successful Operations Management lies in appropriate preparedness which involves building contingencies in place, that facilitate your organization’s restoration. In its usual […] Read more

SMED is an acronym for the lean production method – Single Minute Exchange of Dies. Developed by Shigeo Shingo, a Japanese Industrial Engineer, the methodology provides an efficient and timely transfer from one product to the next in a manufacturing process. This rapid transition facilitates the optimization of the available equipment in a production facility. […] Read more

STATISTICAL PROCESS CONTROL: WESTERN ELECTRIC RULES The DMAIC Methodology in Quality Management, consists of five main steps that organizations utilize in order to satisfy customer requirements. In sequential order, these steps are: Define Measure Analyze Improve Control The control phase of the process, is the final sustaining phase of this continuous improvement cycle. Every time […] Read more

Thoughts on preparing for the turbulence that comes with business. Any business making legitimate strides toward a positive goal is moving in some direction, and any business that is moving is naturally going to face obstacles and bumps in the road. These bumps in the road range from day-to-day variances to unique, major variances that […] Read more

A Six Sigma method of identifying and addressing process lag. If they are wise, every organization goes through rigorous testing steps to smooth out kinks in the production process. Disruptions in and hindrances to ideal production levels exist in the form of delays, human errors, machine errors, defects, and more. It is wise to have […] Read more

Comparing data samples and variances. Smart business involves a continued effort to gather and analyze data across a number of areas. One of those key areas is how certain events affect business staff, production, public opinion, customer satisfaction, and much more. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method assists in analyzing how events affect business or […] Read more

Product development inspired by customer desires. House of Quality refers to a well-known process for product development that is inspired by customer desires for product or process development and anchored by the capabilities and resources of the organization seeking to meet those desires. It is a process of listening to customers, translating their desires into […] Read more

A Six Sigma method of eliminating production success reporting bias. Often, management and financial reporting can contain bias. When a sample of business processes is taken to determine production success, the most-successful part of a sample might be reported to the public and shareholders to paint a picture of success that is greater than reality. […] Read more